I wonder how many/what % of that number in 1966 were UK born, compared to today's figure.

I think the demographics are as of much interest as the headline numbers,  to help understand how society has changed.

Enjoy the views of Oxfordshire and Wiltshire from Didcot Parkway this October on board the Legendary Journeys with Flying Scotsman.

Experience restored vintage coaches travelling at main line speeds behind the world famous Flying Scotsman locomotive on a tour of over 130 miles around Oxfordshire and Wiltshire from Didcot. Pass through the market town of Chippenham before arriving at Newbury Racecourse Station, where there will be a pause to stretch your legs and see the magnificent locomotive. The route will take in views of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape alongside the Kennet & Avon Canal before returning to Didcot via Swindon.

There is a morning journey departing at 11.00 and an afternoon trip at departing at 15.25.

Each booking is helping to keep this national icon of steam heritage operating.

Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th October 2026

Flying Scotsman is steaming through the North Wessex Downs National Landcape this October, with mainline railtours departing from Didcot Parkway, a town which has become synonymous with railway preservation, to Newbury Racecourse Station.

Embark upon a 133 mile return journey through Oxfordshire and Wiltshire hauled by the legendary Flying Scotsman locomotive. We'll travel via the outskirts of Reading, a town rich in railway history from the opening of the Great Western line to London in 1840 right through to the modern Elizabeth Line which opened in 2022,

We'll then arrive at Newbury Racecourse Station, a town famous for it's adjacent racecourse. The train will stop here for 30 minutes allowing a leg stretch and to view the famous locomotive.

Finally, we'll embark on the main leg of our journey. Our route will take us through the lovely landscape of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape, running alongside the pretty Kennet & Avon Canal for some distance and the nearby Westbury white horse.  We'll pass through Chippenham and Swindon, another town steeped in railway history through its railway works which once employed 14,000 people before heading back to Didcot Parkway.

Each booking is helping to keep this national icon of steam heritage operating.

Approximate Itinerary

Departs Didcot at approx 11:00, arriving at Newbury Racecourse approx 11:45. Departing Newbury Racecourse at 12:15, arriving back at Didcot approx 15:05
Departs Didcot at approx 15:25, arriving at Newbury Racecourse approx 16:30. Departing Newbury Racecourse at 16:40, arriving back at Didcot approx 19:20
Tour distance: approximately 133 miles return.

What service pattern is there that could call there?

HOTNAT¹ allows travellers to take the next available high-speed service leaving from the same transit station as originally planned, when a delay on or cancellation of the inbound Railteam member’s high-speed service prevents them from making their originally-planned connection.

This service is free of charge and is subject to the following conditions. The missed connection must be between two high-speed trains of the Railteam alliance. HOTNAT is available in Railteam hubs and larger connecting stations. HOTNAT only applies at the transit station where the passenger originally planned to change trains and in case of train delays and train cancellations. The approval of HOTNAT is subject to the available capacity on board each train. Seats are not guaranteed. If eligible, please report to the service staff at the international ticket/service counter for delay confirmation and HOTNAT authorization.

¹ Available in Paris at Paris Nord, Paris Est, Paris Gare de Lyon and Paris Montparnasse stations. They are counted as a single station for this service.

For connecting between Eurostar and DB FV in Germany, HOTNAT is only available at Cologne main station.

At least it's only at one airport - Gatwick - and other other airports don't see criminal behaviour in connection with parking services.

And if seen on a permanent basis all the time on a diagram leads to an unemployed one!

At least it's only at one airport - Gatwick - and other other airports don't see criminal behaviour in connection with parking services.

An empty bus makes an extremely happy driver!

I think the demographics are as of much interest as the headline numbers,  to help understand how society has changed.

For the record, I was born in Devon, of native UK parents (through several generations, on both sides) in 1959.



CfN. 

Fire destroys 140 cars at site used by Gatwick passengers


A fire service says about 140 vehicles were destroyed in a parking site used by Gatwick holidaymakers

Holidaymakers using Gatwick Airport are facing misery at the end of their travels after a fire at a car park used by people flying from the hub destroyed 140 vehicles.

The blaze at Caldyne Business Park near Crawley broke out shortly after 21:00 BST on Saturday, and images from the site show huge flames and massive plumes of smoke above rows of stationary cars.

A 67-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of arson, and has been bailed pending further inquiries, Sussex Police said.

A spokesperson for Gatwick Airport, which does not own the site, said it "understands how concerning and distressing this will be" for passengers.

Sapphire Parking, whose site was involved in the blaze, said: "At the moment, it is a nightmare for everyone.  We lost a lot of business - we have had to cancel about 600 bookings.  I know that customers are calling and are distressed, but we can't do much at the moment."

The airport added that the site "is not endorsed or operated by London Gatwick".

More than 2,000 homes were also left without power on Saturday due to the blaze, but electricity has since been restored to those affected.


Firefighters tackled the blaze on Saturday morning - Image © Eddie Mitchell

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service advised people whose vehicles were damaged by the blaze to contact their parking operator directly.  A spokesperson said crews remained at the scene on Monday to damp down hotspots.  It added there were no casualties.  A total of eight fire engines and water carriers attended at the height of the blaze.

Following discussions between Wiltshire Council, GWR and Network Rail, AtkinsRealis has been commissioned to update the business case for Corsham’s proposed new railway station. This work will be completed by the end of November 2026.

The work will focus on updating existing evidence and improving the business case rather than redesigning the scheme. It includes:

Costs and Financial Assessment
A full update of the station’s capital cost estimates will be undertaken, using the same station design and scope that formed the basis of the 2022 submission.
Operational cost assumptions will be reviewed using comparisons with similar stations, including consideration of different staffing models and day-to-day operating costs.
The economic case will be strengthened through clearer benchmarking against comparable stations, particularly in relation to passenger demand and wider travel impacts. No new demand modelling is proposed.

Wider Benefits Assessment
The SOC will include an enhanced qualitative assessment of the station’s environmental and social benefits, identifying likely positive outcomes and areas for future detailed appraisal.
A more detailed assessment of wider economic benefits will be undertaken, considering potential impacts on investment, productivity and employment, with comparisons to similar schemes where relevant.

Timetable and Operational Feasibility
Additional consideration will be given to operational risks on the rail corridor and the implications of introducing a Corsham stop within an increasingly constrained timetable.
AtkinsRéalis will meet with Network Rail and GWR to discuss these risks.
Existing timetable analysis will be reviewed in light of current timetables and more recent studies, with any significant changes to previous conclusions recorded. No detailed timetable modelling is planned.

Funding and Development Support
The case will be updated to reflect discussions led by Wiltshire Council with potential third-party funders and clarify how external contributions could support delivery and operation of the station.
Further engagement with planning officers, developers and local stakeholders will be documented to demonstrate alignment with housing growth, regeneration and wider development objectives.

Stakeholder Support
The business case will be strengthened by incorporating evidence of support from key stakeholders, including relevant correspondence and endorsements.
 
Integration with Other Transport Modes
Greater emphasis will be placed on how the proposed station would connect with wider transport networks, including bus services, walking and cycling routes and links to surrounding communities.

Business Case and Carbon Updates
The case will be updated to reflect current Department for Transport business case guidance and policy requirements.
A high-level assessment of carbon impacts will be undertaken, alongside preparation of an outline Carbon Management Plan appropriate to this stage of development.
 
Overall, the work is designed to refresh and strengthen the existing Strategic Outline Case, improve its alignment with current guidance, provide up-to-date cost information, demonstrate wider benefits and reinforce the strategic and financial case for progressing the Corsham Station project to the next stage of development.

Why's that matter?